Device for heating a tap

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to prevent outer taps from being damaged by the effects of frost. To this end, the invention provides a heating device for heating a tap ( 1 ) with an electrothermal converter ( 2 ) means. Said heating device is mounted in or on the tap. The invention also relates to a valve device in which a heating means can be plugged into a corresponding socket ( 11 ), thereby effectively preventing the tap from freezing.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A heating device powered by an electrical source for heating a tap comprising: 
       an electrothermal converter connected to the electrical source; and  
       an attachment device, for attaching the heating device in or on an inlet of the tap, wherein the attachment device has a circuit board that surrounds a portion of the inlet of the tap and is supported by the attachment device, wherein  
       the electrothermal converter is connected to the circuit board and affixed to the attachment device so that a heat generated by the electrothermal converter may be transferred via the attachment device to the tap.  
     
     
       2. The heating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a temperature sensor connected to the circuit board for controlling the electrothermal converter based on an environmental temperature.  
     
     
       3. The heating device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensor, a temperature adjustment circuit, a temperature control circuit, the electrothermal converter, and a socket for providing electric power into the electrothermal converter is disposed in a rosette shaped conclusion diaphragm. 
     
     
       4. The heating device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensor, the electrothermal converter, the temperature adjustment device, and the temperature control circuit is installed in a ring-forming lead frame. 
     
     
       5. The heating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the rosette shaped conclusion diaphragm forms a fitting sleeve or protective cover on the tap. 
     
     
       6. The heating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the rosette shaped conclusion diaphragm forms a protective cover on the tap. 
     
     
       7. The heating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrothermal converter generates heat via an inductive or ohmic operation. 
     
     
       8. The heating device according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
       a thermostat connected to the temperature sensor; and  
       a heating adjustment circuit,  
       wherein the heating adjustment circuit adjusts the operation of the electrothermal converter to heat the tap to a desired temperature set by the thermostat.  
     
     
       9. The heating device according to  claim 1 , the attachment device further comprising: 
       a main enclosure, wherein at least one of a plurality of electrical converters is concentrically located around the main enclosure.  
     
     
       10. The heating device according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
       at least one of a temperature adjustment device and a temperature controlling device to control a temperature of the tap to not fall below a predetermined threshold temperature.  
     
     
       11. The heating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve. 
     
     
       12. The heating device according to  claim 11 , wherein the attachment device is attachable to an exterior surface of the valve. 
     
     
       13. The heating device according to  claim 12 , wherein a socket is provided in the attachment device wherein the electrothermal converter may be inserted therein.